The Constitution Day of Dagestan: the history of the holiday and traditions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The adoption of the Constitution is an important step towards establishing democracy in a constitutional state. Therefore, in many countries this day is a holiday and is widely celebrated by all residents. One of such republics in Russia is Dagestan, where the Republican Constitution was adopted on July 26, 1996. The importance of the holiday lies in the fact that the law was adopted at a difficult time for the country and the republic, it allowed maintaining peace, stability and unity in multinational Dagestan. Therefore, the Day of the Constitution of Dagestan is widely celebrated in the republic by all citizens.

July 26 - Constitution Day of Dagestan: history

Every year on July 26, residents of Dagestan celebrate one of the most important public holidays - Constitution Day. The need for its development was dictated by the changed living conditions in the post-Soviet space of Dagestan and Russia. What were these changes?

• market economy instead of socialist economic system;
• bourgeois multi-party type of state instead of communist;
• democratic state with separation of powers instead of Soviet omnipotence;
• inability of the Constitution of the RSFSR to reflect the changed socialrelationship;
• new geopolitical position of Dagestan in connection with the collapse of the USSR and joining the Russian Federation as a subject.

The Government and the Constitutional Commission of the Supreme Council of Dagestan, as well as a working group of jurists and lawyers took part in the development of the new Constitution. But changes in the socio-political life of the country and the republic led to the need to make some amendments and on July 10, 2003 a new Constitution was adopted, but despite the difference in dates, citizens annually celebrate July 26 as Constitution Day of the Republic of Dagestan. This step is explained by the continuity of both constitutions.

The meaning of the Constitution for the Republic of Dagestan

What role does the Constitution play in Dagestan? Undoubtedly, it is important, since it occupies the first place in the formation of Dagestan as a civil and legal republic and acts as the basic law of the republic. It is a legal and moral landmark in the republic and has a psychological and moral impact on the citizens and officials of Dagestan. This means that the observance or non-observance of constitutional norms entails a large-scale resonance and goes beyond the framework of legal relations. Therefore, in order to emphasize the importance of the document, citizens annually celebrate the Constitution Day of the Republic of Dagestan on July 26.

Basic tenets of the Constitution

The Constitution is the main law that fixes the subjective status of Dagestan as a republic withinRF, its social system, the system and important principles of organization, activities and the totality of powers of state authorities and local self-government, as well as the system of human and civil rights and freedoms. This provision means the following:

• representatives of state power and self-government bodies undertake to organize official activities in accordance with the Constitution;
• they must implement and monitor the implementation of constitutional norms in society.

According to the Constitution of the Republic of Dagestan, the highest official is the President. His powers include executive power and the formation of a legislative body in the Republic of Dagestan.

What has changed with the adoption of the Constitution?

The adoption of the Constitution led to tremendous changes in all spheres of life of citizens:

• emergence of individual rights and freedoms;
• formation of the economy and efficient use of budgetary funds;
• positive changes in property development;
• formation of a solid system of civil services and social institutions.

But, unfortunately, the changes were not only positive, but also negative, and a number of problems remain to be solved by the state authorities of the Republic of Dagestan.

• poverty - the income of some part of the population does not exceed the subsistence level;
• direct and indirect violation of the Constitution;
• insufficiently effective mechanism for the implementation of rights and freedoms.

How the Constitution Day of Dagestan is celebrated

Dagestan is one of the multinational republics of the Russian Federation, and the Constitution Day of Dagestan is one of the most important holidays in which every resident, young and old, wants to take part. Therefore, the main celebrations are held on the main square of Makhachkala, where 28 districts of the republic present their unique culture. Dressed in national clothes, they introduce residents and guests of the city to national dishes, drinks, dances and give master classes in needlework, which their area is famous for - embroidery on fabric, making jugs, wooden spoons, carpets and jewelry. The products of craftsmen and artists are also presented here.

Further, the festive program continues with a concert of professional and amateur groups of Dagestan. Of great interest is the defile of the Central Military Band of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. At the beginning of the concert, the residents are usually congratulated by the head of the Republic and other officials who celebrate the importance of this law and the holiday called Constitution Day of Dagestan. The festive program ends with large-scale fireworks.